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Where We Ride: Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Summit County

Derrick Kortvejesi

Derrick is the (former) Service Manager at our Peninsula store, and was one of our longest-tenured team members. Like many local cyclists, he enjoys riding the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, mainly the portion that runs through Summit County. The trail passes less than a mile from Derrick's house, so it's easy and convenient for him to get to.

The Towpath Trail runs through four counties (Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, and Tuscarawas), but the Summit County section is notable in that as of 2012, it is the first county to have the Towpath Trail completed the entire length of the county, with over 40 total miles of trail. The Ohio & Erieway Canalway Association celebrated this milestone with events throughout the year.

Thenorthern end of the Towpath Trail in Summit County begins at the county line just south of the Alexander Road underpass. Much of this section of trail passes through the beautiful Cuyhoga Valley National Park (Ohio's only National Park), where you'll see wildlife such as deer, bald eagles, coyote, and turtles basking in the sun on fallen logs in the canal. Most of the trail surface here is hard packed crushed limestone.

There are several trailheads where you can park your car to access the trail. Working north to south, those trailheads are located at:

Station Road (near the Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks)

Red Lock (on Highland Road, near Brandywine Ski Area)

Boston Store Visitor Center (on Boston Mills Road)

Lock 29 (in Peninsula)

Deep Lock Quarry (on Riverview Road)

Hunt Farm Visitor Center (on Bolanz Road)

Indigo Lake (on Riverview Road)

Ira Road (from Riverview Road)

Botzum (on Riverview Road)

Big Bend (from Merriman Road)

Memorial Parkway

Mustill Store (on North Street in Akron)

Beech Street

Lock 3 Park (downtown Akron)

Summit Lake

Manchester Road

Fairview Avenue (in Barberton)

Wolf Creek (on Snyder Avenue in Barberton)

Vanderhoof Road

Franklin (on Center Road)

Clinton

Traveling south into downtown Akron, the Towpath follows three city blocks before re-joining dedicated trail. The route is clearly marked with signs; you can ride on the sidewalk, or on the street; whichever you are more comfortable with. Much of the trail near the city is paved.

Just south of the main downtown business district, the newest section of the trail passes through former industrial sites, and then Canal Park, featuring many neighborhood amenities in addition to the trail, such as playgrounds and tennis courts.

Just further south is possibly the most memorable feature of the Towpath Trail, both from an engineering standpoint and for the pleasurable and unique riding experience. Here, the trail passes over several floating wooden bridges that were constructed upon Summit Lake.

The trail continues south through the city of Barberton, through secluded wooded areas and more reclaimed industrial lands.

The Towpath Trail enters Stark County just south of the village of Clinton.